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Thomas launches cooperative venture

Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs K.V. Thomas has said that the government will continue to extend support to socially and economically backward classes in its endeavour to uplift them.

Inaugurating Kerala State SC/ST Petroleum Dealers & Allied Business Cooperative Society here on Friday, Prof. Thomas said Indian history had ample examples of people from deprived sections of society reaching top positions, thanks to a strong democratic set-up.

A.P. Anil Kumar, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, urged petroleum dealers to utilise the opportunities for advancement of business. Business development depended more on individual initiatives than government support.

Beneficiaries under the SC/ST welfare schemes should take effort to submit appropriate proposals to utilise allocated funds.

The government would extend support to sort out issues faced by the petroleum dealers, he said.